May 19, 2011

My mother has a problem with training the two dogs she did not have from puppies. She's a good trainer. What's your opinion?

Full Question:
My mother has a 1yr old spayed dachshund. She is well behaved but has a problem that when she is hurt or scared by something (physically, like her lastest, a spiral fracture) she will go hide and not come out when called. She will lay and look at you, thumping her tail, but has to be physically removed frm her hiding place (crate, bushes, under the truck). My mother does allow she has good recall, but only when things like horse poop or playing with the cats are not more exciting. Then it becomes a game! My mother also allows that she is not a food motivated dog, and that minimal reprimands are all it takes normally to make an impression. I told her it was a respect issue that she will need to get control of the 'game' times and the rest should come around. What is your opinion?

My mother has trained her own dogs for years, and is very successful with well-behaved, responsive dogs. She currently has two dachshunds, and three dobermans. The only dogs she has troube with are the two that she did not have from puppies. She recently got a rescue doberman that has responding issues, only when off long line or a lead. She's getting better sowly but still an issues. She has had the dachshund since about 4 months old.

Thanks so much.
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
To me, this is simple. Don’t let the dog off leash or off of a long line. The more a dog practices a specific behavior, the more of a habit it becomes. You can let a dog practice good behaviors (like coming when called with the assistance of a long line) or bad behavior (let the dog run loose and let it realize that it can do whatever it wants).

For all my dogs, they eventually go to a remote collar anyway so I always have a way to guide them when they are away from me (either long line or ecollar or both)

I disagree that your mom’s dog has a good recall. If the recall was good, it would be good all the time-- not just when the dog feels like coming to her.

I think she needs to back up her training and practice controlling the dogs free time 100%.

http://leerburg.com/groundwork.htm

I hope this helps.

Cindy

100% (2 out of 2)
respondents found this answer helpful
Did you find this Q&A helpful?
Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
100% (2 out of 2)
respondents found this answer helpful

Did you find this Q&A helpful?

Recommended Products
Scroll to Top